Concerning the Nature of Ionically Modified Aromatic Polyamide Membranes

The application of cross-linking based on ionic bonds has been successfully demonstrated with aromatic polyamides for the improvement of long-term membrane flux stability. Flux decay values, expressed as d log J₁/d log t, have been reduced to -0.02 compared with -0.12 for the untreated membrane control, operating at 102 atms. applied pressure, on a natural seawater feed solution. Selectivity to dissolved inorganic salts such as sodium chloride remains high, for membranes modified in this manner.